19 June 2012

posted in:

Some Basic Differences

One of the most common questions (and one I think many are afraid to ask) is what the difference is between the various types of mental health professionals.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health, who works with standardized diagnoses, and who typically prescribes drugs to treat patients. They may or may not have extensive training as a therapist. Psychiatrists are covered in Ontario via OHIP, however for those doctors who practice therapy, waiting lists can be prohibitively long.

Psychologist: A psychologist is a specialist in psychology, often holding a Ph.D. They do not prescribe drugs. Some have extensive training as therapists, whereas others choose to service other industries, or conduct private research. Psychologists are not covered by OHIP but are covered by some private health benefits plans.

Psychotherapist: A psychotherapist is specifically trained to work with others in a therapeutic environment. There are various approaches (or modalities) of psychotherapy: Freudian, Gestalt, CBT, to name a few. Psychotherapists are not covered by OHIP but are covered by a few health benefits plans.

Regardless who you end up seeing, a good therapist not only has extensive training and supervision, but also has experience as a client – either as part of their training program or through personal choice. A therapist with no experience of what it’s like to be on the other side of the couch as a client is missing an important tool: relatability.